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[torchbearer]

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[torchbearer]

Just me. I learned everything on the go. Doing the best I could. And lots of people were gunning for the last Lantern.

[batsymbol]

And can anyone use that ring and its power? Or is it strictly a lantern thing?

[torchbearer]

[ he shakes his head. ]

It's not that simple. Usually, Lanterns are picked. And only willpower can make your constructs work.

My ring is special anyway. It's keyed to me. Taking it won't do anything for anyone else. But even if it wasn't, it's not the easiest thing in the world.

[batsymbol]

Good to know.

( because he'd hate for that ring to fall into the wrong hands. especially around here. )

Means I don't have to worry about someone cutting your finger off for it.

[torchbearer]

I mean. Other people don't know that. And I doubt even me telling them will stop them from trying.

But people don't get close enough to get that chance.

[batsymbol]

We'll try not to let them.

( who is we? bruce doesn't bother to elaborate and, instead, keeps walking down the hall to peer into one of the dismantled bathrooms that definitely needs to be fixed up. )

So how did we meet then? When you joined that team?

( the justice league, he means. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle rubs the back of his neck. ]

Well, I came to the League for help with Parallax, but I wasn't a member until later. I was a Titan for a bit but the League felt they needed a Lantern and well, I'm it.

[ he hesitates for a moment. ]

We met up at Gotham first. I wanted some . . . help. Mentor help but you said you didn't have time to me.

[ he gives a sheepish smile and a shrug. ]

I was pretty miffed at the time.

[batsymbol]

( shoulder pressed to the door frame, he looks over to kyle. quiet. contemplative. )

I was probably busy.

[torchbearer]

Probably.

[ kyle's smile is guileless. no grudges hidden there. ]

It's fine. You've helped me out plenty of times since then.

[ and hurt him too, but so what? ]

[batsymbol]

( busy and yet he's supposed to take on dick and a number of others in the future. it's still a little hard to fathom — hard for him to really see given where he is currently back in gotham. )

Just means you can help me now.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle can see the wheels are turning and doesn't press. ]

Sure. Anything you need, like I said.

[batsymbol]

A kickstart on getting this place fixed up.

( that's really all he wants from kyle. maybe the company a little, but. it's not as if he'd ever admit that. )

[torchbearer]

My constructs will sweep, tidy up and move any debris out of the way.

They're a godsend when I moved around.

[batsymbol]

I appreciate it.

( and that appreciation can be felt in the soft way he says that while looking to kyle. )

[torchbearer]

[ his smile grows. ]

That's all I need to hear.